Lions outlast Alouettes in back-and-forth affair to earn 2nd win

The BC Lions entered enemy territory Thursday night to battle the Montreal Alouettes and were able to outlast their counterparts, capturing a 23-16 victory in what was largely a defensive standoff.

The win moves the Lions to 2-1 on the season, while putting the Alouettes in the red at 1-2.

The Lions didn't waste much time getting on the scoreboard. Jonathon Jennings connected with running back Jeremiah Johnson on the opening drive of the game to give the Lions a 6-0 lead, though their attempted two-point conversion was neutralized by the Alouettes' defense.

The next touchdown wasn't scored until 11:53 of the fourth quarter, when Johnson punched it in from 1 yard out to give the Lions a 16-9 lead after a converted extra point.

Boris Bede kept the Alouettes in it, converting each of his three field-goal attempts in the game. A 2-yard touchdown run by Tyrell Sutton with 7:28 to go tied the game, but the Lions were able to punch back, as quarterback Travis Lulay sneaked it in from 2 yards out to give his team a lead it would not relinquish.

While the contest didn't offer much in the way of aerial offense, Jennings did outperform Alouettes quarterback Darian Durant, completing 28-of-39 passes for 288 yards and a touchdown while Durant completed 24-of-36 passes for 245 yards and a late interception that sealed the Lions' victory.

Both teams will be in action for Week 4. The Alouettes remain at home and welcome the Calgary Stampeders to town July 14 while the Lions hit the road yet again, heading east to meet up with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Tim Hortons Field on July 15.